Local Heritage Fund

For over ten years Council and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage have offered grants to owners of local heritage places. The grants aim to provide owners of heritage places a 'helping hand' to make a start to renovating or conserving their place.

The grants offer assistance of up to $1,000, but in some special cases up to $2,000 can be provided. Owners need to show how they are also contributing to the project, as the grant can not be more than 50% of the total project costs.

Currently there are almost 420 heritage places listed in the MidCoast Council area which are eligible to apply for funding.

Applications close Friday 18 May 2018.

What projects are eligible?

Eligible projects can involve the repair, maintenance or reinstatement of missing items on heritage buildings. This can include fences, verandahs, windows, roof cladding and decorative detail. Structural work through to painting can be eligible for funding. Projects must be located within the MidCoast Council area.

Funding will not be provided for the following:

where work has commenced or been completed without prior knowledge or agreement of Council or the heritage advisor

where substantial assistance has been previously provided or where the applicant has yet to complete other assisted projects

the purchase of reusable equipment (eg power tools) or the purchase of a building/site

inappropriate use of materials/work that does not comply with heritage principles (eg extensions to a heritage building or relocated building) or for studies/reports related to the demolition, removal or relocation of heritage items.

The conditions of approval outline the requirements that need to be met by successful applicants.

Assessment criteria

The following criteria will be assessed against your application (it is not necessary to meet all of these criteria):

the applicant’s ability to demonstrate technical and financial responsibility with regard to the project and meet the completion date of 3 May 2019

the degree to which the applicant is financially contributing to the project (contribution must be more than 50%)

projects which are visible (eg replacement of a verandah to a building in a main street location) or demonstrate important heritage value to the community

projects which have public accessibility (eg local museum, church or a private home which is open to the public several times a year)

projects which are located in an area which has received little or no funding previously

urgent projects to avert a threat to a heritage item.

Timing/reporting of project

Works must be completed and a final report provided to Council by 3 May 2019. Prior to completion, regular updates are to be submitted as milestones are reached (emails are sufficient). The final report will provide a record of the work undertaken, expenditure and photographs (before/after). If updates or the final report are not provided, funding may be withdrawn.

What you need to do?

Contact the heritage advisor (Lillian Cullen) – discuss the eligibility/details of your project and determine whether a development approval is required. Please call Council on 6591 7222 to organise an appointment with Lillian if required.

Background research – to demonstrate how the work maintains/restores the heritage value of the place. Your local library, historical society or Lillian may be able to assist.

Plan - decide on the extent of work to be undertaken in a clear schedule of works. Try to match materials and building styles. You need to get quotes for the work (two quotes are suggested). Depending on the size of the project you may need to include sketches/plans. Take photographs of the setting of the building, elevations and close-ups of any particular work to be done

Fill in the application form - either post or email a copy to Council and don’t forget to include the attachments. All applications need to be received by Council by Friday 18 May 2018.

Important - do not assume immediate approval of your project or that retrospective work will be reimbursed without prior agreement. Work should not commence until you have received an approval letter from Council.